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State’s best education idea turns 25

A quarter century ago, Pennsylvania quietly did something remarkable: created a scholarship program that gave low- and middle-income families an opportunity to choose the best schools for their kids. This first-of-its-kind program galvanized the national school choice movement, ushering in much-needed reforms that put students first. That program is the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), which marks its 25th anniversary. From its inception, EITC’s design was simple yet revolutionary: Allow businesses to invest in scholarships and empower families to choose educational ...

Governor betrayed Pennsylvania’s children with 2023 veto

When it comes to school choice, Gov. Josh Shapiro often finds himself in hot water. In 2023, he shook hands on a budget deal that included a $100 million scholarship program for kids stuck in Pennsylvania’s worst-performing schools—a program which he endorsed as a candidate. But after teacher unions and partisan Democrats pressed him, he vetoed what could have been a transformational opportunity for thousands of Pennsylvania kids. Now, a new opportunity looms on the horizon—and the governor again appears hesitant to commit. On July 5, 2025, federal lawmakers passed the ...

Better path is genuine simplification

President Donald Trump and Congress want to help you increase your savings. And you should. At the household level, saving is the foundation of financial security and the seed capital for a better retirement. At the economy-wide level, savings fund investment that expands the capital stock, raises wages and grows the economy. A society that does not save is a society slowly consuming its future. So, any politician who wants to help Americans save more deserves at least a hearing. What should such a politician propose? The first thing to do is remove all government-made barriers to ...

Act 13 still a smart deal for Pennsylvania communities

When Pennsylvania’s Act 13 was signed into law 14 years ago, the goal of the bipartisan policy was straightforward: encourage responsible natural gas development, further strengthen environmental safeguards and ensure local communities see real, lasting benefits tied to energy production. Nearly a decade and a half later, the results speak for themselves. Since 2012, the Act 13-created impact fee – Pennsylvania’s unique tax on natural gas production – has generated over $3.1 billion in revenue for counties and municipalities across the state, with hundreds of millions ...

Inflation squeezes household spending

The Fed held rates where they were – 3.5% to 3.75% – and nobody was surprised. What actually mattered was the friction inside the room. Three FOMC members dissented, and not over some technical disagreement. They wanted the committee to stop pretending its next move is still a cut. They have a point. The “easing bias” language is a holdover from late last year, when the Fed was more worried about the labor market cracking than inflation flaring back up. In December, officials cut rates and talked about calibrating “the extent and timing of additional adjustments.” That ...

Pittsburgh is just built different

PITTSBURGH -- Art Rooney II was standing on the pitch of the brand-new U.S. Steel Community football field, located on the sprawling 178 acres where the men and women who lived in the slopes overlooking Hazelwood Works labored in the mill. It doesn’t seem that long ago when those massive steel structures were churning out steel for over 100 years, playing a significant role in building this country. Off in the distance stands the U.S. Steel Tower, the tallest building in Appalachia. Closer to the field are the skeletal remains, now repurposed to house Carnegie Mellon University and ...